LIGHT FANTASTIC

Maximising daylight brings a whole new perspective to a smaller home.

The further the eye can see, the better; a low-cost solution is to replace an internal door with a glazed version, creating a longer sightline, ideally from the front door, right through to the back of the house.

Whether you look out onto a beautiful garden or tiny patio, make sure it’s on show, keeping window treatments simple so that the emphasis is on the outside.

Knocking two rooms into one creates a more flexible space, but fill the gap with glazed doors that fold or slide back, to give grown-ups peace while kids are playing.

Internal glass windows, panels or screens will bring a sparkle to tiny spaces. Innervision steel-framed internal partitioning screens by Crittall Windows, from £5,894 including fitting, divide rooms and can even be fitted with glazing that has enhanced acoustic properties to reduce noise levels.

Consider rooflights or a sun pipe for light from above. High-level horizontal windows, called clerestory, are ideal in a kitchen extension, while vertical slit windows, set close to corners, allow shafts of light through.

Safety glass, either toughened or laminated, depending on where it’s used, is a must for glazed doors and some windows.